Defense Secretary Awards USS Abraham Lincoln Crew Before Return Home

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth presented the USS Abraham Lincoln's crew with the Presidential Unit Citation on Wednesday, a high honor typically reserved for significant combat achievements. The award comes just before the aircraft carrier returns to its home port in San Diego on Thursday after completing a deployment that included "40 days of combat operations and an ironclad maritime blockade against Iran in support of Operation Epic Fury," Hegseth stated.

The Lincoln endured a record 265 uninterrupted days at sea, a period that drew national attention due to reports of crew stress, mental health concerns, and shortages of supplies such as food and hygiene products. The extended deployment, which lasted over 10 months, involved operations in the Middle East.

Hegseth flew out to the ship before its arrival in San Diego, acknowledging the crew's prolonged time away from home. He assured them that his visit was brief, designed to present the award before the ship docked and the crew could reunite with their families.

Long deployments can place significant strain on service members, both due to extended separation from families and the inherent threats faced during operations. The USS Lincoln's deployment supported military operations in the Middle East under the Trump administration.

The Lincoln is the second aircraft carrier to undergo an exceptionally long deployment in support of operations against Iran and subsequently receive the top unit award. In May, Hegseth presented a similar award to the crew of the USS Gerald R. Ford after its 326-day deployment, which was the longest for an aircraft carrier in 50 years.

The Lincoln departed San Diego in late November, arrived in the Middle East in January, and is now completing its return journey. During its time deployed, the carrier's strike group executed 3,693 combat missions, delivered 1.37 million pounds of ordnance, launched 450 Tomahawk cruise missiles, shot down 77 drones, sank 64 Iranian warships, destroyed 21 anti-ship cruise missiles, and defended against four fast attack craft and explosive-carrying ships, according to the award citation.

While acknowledging that combat operations limited resupply opportunities, resulting in a temporary reduction in meal options and delays in hygiene product deliveries, Navy officials stated that supplies were generally maintained. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao had previously indicated that while meal options were reduced from two to one for a short period, four nutritionally balanced meals were served daily. Eight sailors attempted suicide during the deployment, a number experts consider low for a strike group of 6,000 over 10 months.

Hegseth pushed back against narratives that portrayed the Lincoln's deployment as a symbol of dysfunction or low morale, emphasizing the adaptability and resilience of the U.S. military. "what makes the U.S. military and the U.S. Navy and all these sailors different is that you adapt and that you’re resilient and you overcome — you finish the mission nonetheless," he told the crew.

Currently, two aircraft carriers are assigned to the Middle East: the USS George Washington, which relieved the Lincoln in August, and the USS George H.W. Bush. U.S. officials have indicated that a third carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, could join them later in the year.